Buy a used "standard" type of bike (not a sportbike or a cruiser) in the 500 -750 cc range. Ride it for six months to a year and you'll know what kind of ride you want for the long run.

BMW4VWW

10-08-2004 05:50 AM

Re: New rider, pretty tall, a little MO experience, what bike?

You are lucky that you are tall enough to learn on a dual purpose bike. Get one and you will find that not only are they entertaining on multiple surfaces, they also have the best layout for controlling the motorcycle in street riding situations. VWW

SeanAlexander

10-08-2004 06:01 AM

Re: New rider, pretty tall, a little MO experience, what bike?

By your description, I would say that a used Suzuki DRZ-400S, Honda XR-650L, Kawasaki KLR-650, or if you are really cash strapped an old Yamaha XT-350 would all be excellent starter bikes for you, as long as you don't do much freeway commuting (they all have very short gearing so they would rev an buzz too much for long freeway stints)

If you want a cruiser and only a cruiser, try the Honda Shadow 750 or 1100, or the Yamaha V-Star 650 or 1100, Suzuki Intruder 800, Harley Sportster 883 or any other 600 - 1100cc "cruiser" none of them are waht you would call "fast" and they tend to be quite reliable. If you really like this class, stay tuned, because we'll be doing a "Middleweight Cruiser" comparo in about 30 days.

Hope this helps -Sean

Pulsar

10-08-2004 06:08 AM

Re: New rider, pretty tall, a little MO experience, what bike?

if you are sure that you want to go for a cruiser, my advice will be useless.. nevertheless.. i am ~6"6 and i am pretty glad that i fit quite well on my bandit 1200.

if you are looking for a cheap but nice powered sportstouring bike, try the 1200 or 600 (both with the same frame; whereas i'd never choose the 600). even for beginners, the power and torque are easy to control and the bike is.. err.. what we call here "sweet-tempered" :)

i know everyone is praising its own bike, but i had some bikes before and i fit best on the current..

have fun riding!! :D

SeanAlexander

10-08-2004 06:44 AM

Re: New rider, pretty tall, a little MO experience, what bike?

Do NOT buy a Bandit 1200 as your first bike!

The Bandit 1200 is an excellent motorcycle with an great motor and mediocre handling. It is absoloutely the oposite of what a beginer should be riding. -Sean

SRMark

10-08-2004 06:51 AM

Re: New rider, pretty tall, a little MO experience, what bike?

Let me second the KLR-650. It's cheap, even cheaper used, bullet-proof and the aftermarket has all sorts of goodies for it. You will be amazed at the leg room on that thing. With the stock 16 tooth counter shaft sprocket on it you've got freeway gearing to spare. I switched to a 14 and still found it ok at freeway speeds and it liked the dirt a whole lot more. I've done quite a few 500 mile plus days on it in comfort. Plus, I've taken it through some gawd-awful passes in Colorado and lived to tell the tale. Just let the shop adjust your valves.

I've owned or extensively ridden the other DP bikes Sean recommends too. He is spot on.

g-bear

10-08-2004 06:53 AM

Re: New rider, pretty tall, a little MO experience, what bike?

About the review, just one thought: could you include a vulcan 750? There is not one review in the whole MO archive and it is the last specimen of a kind of bike very few people are still attracted to.

G

Nplateau

10-08-2004 07:07 AM

Re: New rider, pretty tall, a little MO experience, what bike?

Suzuki V-Strom DL 650

nokneedragin

10-08-2004 07:19 AM

Re: New rider, pretty tall, a little MO experience, what bike?

I hardily recomend the DP bikes. I also am tall and found them quite fun, and fit my lanky frame well.

As a plus you can do some reasonable dirt riding on them. Buy used and enjoy, if after afew months you are tired of your buds raging on you about not having a proper bike (XRFLSTGSXR1yz600 etc) then you can start saving for that bike, and you will know what style of ride you like better. Don't sell the DP. I did and regreted it.

As others have said before, you buy motorcycles, never sell (you can always find some place to keep them).

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